John Logie Baird’s hometown of Helensburgh set for new cinema

Helensburgh, the town whose most famous son, John Logie Baird, gave the world television, is to get a new cinema.

The Tower Digital Arts Centre today announced that it is opening a cinema in Helensburgh on April 15 which will show the latest cinema releases.

The Tower Digital Arts Centre, a local charity which as formed in 2014, will be opening two digital cinema screens inside the converted church complex building which is located on the corners of Sinclair and West King Street’s in the heart of the town.

The centre, which recently opened the only Apple Authorised Training Centre in the West of Scotland as well as becoming the home for University of the Highlands and Island (creative industries courses) in Helensburgh, was recently reclassified by Argyll & Bute Council for change of use (to a class 11 site assembly & Leisure) enabling it to offer the latest films.

Despite having a long association with filmmakers and actors – including Deborah Kerr, The Clyde Family, Mary Ure and Tom Vaughan – Helensburgh’s last cinema, La Scala, closed in 1980.

Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to secure grants and government funds for a new cinema.

The Tower has raised all of the funds required from corporate sponsorships and social loans.

Over the past 12 months the new arts centre has hosted live theatre, the Scottish National Orchestras (SCO), ballets, traditional musician and bands, and created new events like “Cafe Improv,” with visiting artists including Stuart Murdoch from Belle & Sebastian, C. Duncan, Ian Rankin and King Creosote.